Attic Shoe Attachment Device

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture providing work shoes attachment device for use in working on attic joists is disclosed. The work shoes attachment device are made from an attic shoe base having an upper side and a lower side, a set of support legs coupled to the lower side of the attic shoe base, the set of support legs configured to create a crosswise opening and a lengthwise opening between the support legs for positioning on opposing sides of a joist, and a pair of support straps coupled to the attic shoe base for securing the work shoes attachment device to a worker&#39;s foot, the pair of support straps comprise a front support strap and a rear support strap.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture forproviding work shoes attachment device, and more specifically, to anarticle of manufacture for providing work shoes attachment device foruse in working on attic joists.

BACKGROUND

Workers in various types of construction jobs are required to walk alongjoists in attics when performing their jobs. These attics typically donot have flooring on which the workers may walk from an entry point toall of the locations in which tasks are to be performed. As such, theseworkers are required to walk along narrow joists that containsignificant amounts of space in between that are not able to support theweight of the worker should he or she accidentally step off of thejoists. These workers are at risk of serious injury if they shouldinadvertently step off of the joists while working.

Therefore, a need exists for a an article of manufacture for providingwork shoes attachment device for use in working on attic joists. Such adevice will assist the workers in remaining on joists and thuseliminating or reducing the chances of injury present in current workingsolutions caused by limitations and deficiencies of the prior solutionsaccording to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problemsare solved by providing an article of manufacture for work shoesattachment device for use in working on attic joists according to theprinciples and example embodiments disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacturefor providing work shoes attachment device for use in working on atticjoists. The work shoes attachment device are made from an attic shoebase having an upper side and a lower side, a set of support legscoupled to the lower side of the attic shoe base, the set of supportlegs configured to create a crosswise opening and a lengthwise openingbetween the support legs for positioning on opposing sides of a joist,and a pair of support straps coupled to the attic shoe base for securingthe work shoes attachment device to a worker's foot, the pair of supportstraps comprise a front support strap and a rear support strap.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the attic shoe basecomprises a rectangular center portion and four extension tabs, twoextension tabs on either side of the attic shoe base, the four extensiontabs comprise a pair of front extension tabs and a pair of rearextension tabs.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the set of support legscouple to the attic shoe base across each of the extension tabs.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the crosswiseopening and the lengthwise opening between the support legs arepositioned between the extension tabs.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the attic shoe base furthercomprises a pair of front strap openings and a pair of rear strapopenings through the attic shoe base, the pair of front strap openingsare located within the rectangular center portion of the attic shoe basein front of the front extension tabs and a pair of rear strap openingsare located within the rectangular center portion of the attic shoe basein behind the rear extension tabs.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the front support strap isrouted through the front pair of front strap openings, across the upperside of the attic shoe base, and around each side of the attic shoe basefrom the lower side to permit the front support strap to be arrangedabout the worker's foot, and the rear support strap is routed throughthe front pair of rear strap openings, across the upper side of theattic shoe base, and around each side of the attic shoe base from thelower side to permit the rear support strap to be arranged about theworker's foot.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the pair of support strapseach have a buckle to secure each end to the support straps to itsopposing end.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the pair of support strapseach have mating Velcro™ strips to secure each end to the support strapsto its opposing end.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the attic shoe base and theset of support legs are made of a material comprising: steel, wood,plastic, aluminum, and synthetic resin.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the crosswise opening andthe lengthwise opening between the support legs are at least 1⅞″ wide.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to its organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages will be better understood from thefollowing description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIGS. 1a-e illustrate various views of an example embodiment of anarticle of manufacture providing a work shoes attachment device for usein working on attic joists according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an article of manufactureproviding a work shoes attachment device for use in working on atticjoists according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3a-b illustrate multiple views of leg supports for an article ofmanufacture providing a work shoes attachment device for use in workingon attic joists according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a 2D view of a leg support for an article ofmanufacture providing a work shoes attachment device for use in workingon attic joists according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5a-b illustrate multiple views of leg supports for an article ofmanufacture providing a work shoes attachment device for use in workingon attic joists according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture forproviding a work shoes attachment devices, and more specifically, to anarticle of manufacture providing work shoes attachment devices for usein working on attic joists according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attachedhereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification arenot intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the followingterminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a needle” includes reference to one ormore of such needles and “etching” includes one or more of such steps.As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositionalelements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list forconvenience. However, these lists should be construed as though eachmember of the list is individually identified as a separate and uniquemember. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as ade facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based ontheir presentation in a common group without indications to thecontrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features,steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, steps or components. It also should be notedthat in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts notedmay occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twofigures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantiallyconcurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “worker,” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g. a human, usingthe work shoes attachment devices for use in working on attic joistsassociated with the invention. The term user herein refers to one ormore users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the inventionbeing applied for via the patent application with the title “AtticShoes.” Invention may be used interchangeably with shoes.

In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacturefor providing work shoes attachment devices for use in working on atticjoists. To better understand the present invention, FIGS. 1a-fillustrate various views of an example embodiment of an article ofmanufacture providing work shoes attachment devices for use in workingon attic joists according to the present invention. FIG. 1a shows a sideview of an attic shoe coupled to a work shoes attachment device showinga crosswise opening to walk on a joist according to the presentinvention. The attic shoe 100 has an attic shoe base 101 coupled on topof a set of support legs 102 a-d arranged to create a crosswise opening111 and a lengthwise opening 110 (see FIGS. 1b-c ) that are sized topermit a joist to fit in between the set of support legs 102 a-d. Theset of support legs 102 a-d extends downward from the attic shoe base101 to create a support frame that may be positioned about a joist topermit the worker to securely stand on a narrow joist. The crosswiseopening 111 and lengthwise opening 110 permit the worker to step ineither direction on a joist while ensuring the worker steps onto thejoist with the center of the his or her foot.

The attic shoe 100 also uses a pair of support straps 103 a-b to connectthe attic shoe base 101 to a worker's shoe. The support straps 103 a-bare coupled to the attic shoe base 101 about a front and a back end ofthe attic shoe base 101 to hold the worker's shoe in place while wearingthe attic shoe 100.

FIG. 1b shows a front-top down view of an attic shoe coupled to aworker's shoe showing attachment straps according to the presentinvention. The support straps 103 a-b are shown with a front strap 103 apositioned about the front edge of the attic shoe base 101 and securingthe toe of the worker's shoe to the attic shoe 100. A rear strap 103 bis positioned about a rear edge of the attic shoe base 101 to wraparound the shoe about the ankle securing the rear of the shoe to theattic shoe 100.

The support straps 103 a-b are shown in the embodiment FIG. 1c to besecured using buckles to connect the two ends of the support straps 103a-b to each other. Other coupling mechanisms including buttons, snaps,Velcro™, and similar coupling devices may be used to secure each end ofthe strap to each other. The support straps 103 a-b must be securedsufficiently to the worker's shoe to keep the shoe and the attic shoe100 connected to each other as the worker steps onto and off of joists.

FIG. 1d shows a rear view of an attic shoe coupled to a worker's shoeshowing a lengthwise opening to walk on a joist according to the presentinvention. The rear view of FIG. 1e shows the worker's shoe resting upona rear portion of the attic shoe base 101 and having the set of supportlegs 102 a-d on either side of the attic shoe base 101 to create thelengthwise opening 110. The lengthwise opening 110 runs the entirelength of the attic shoe 100 beneath the attic shoe base 101.

FIG. 1e shows a top view of an attic shoe base having attachment strapsaccording to the present invention. A front attachment strap 103 a isshown crossing over a center portion of the attic shoe base 101 near itsfront edge in which the front attachment strap 103 a then wraps aboutthe outer edges of the attic shoe base 101 to be buckled over the toe ofa worker's shoe. The front attachment strap 103 a passes through a pairof strap openings 201 a-b in the attic shoe base 101 to hold the frontattachment strap 103 a in place. The rear attachment strap 103 battaches to the attic shoe base 101 using a similar pair of strapopenings 201 c-d about the rear end of the attic shoe base 101 (notshown).

The attic shoe base 101 and set of support legs 102 a-d are made of arigid material capable of holding the worker in place when walking andstanding on a joist. In a preferred embodiment, the attic shoe base 101and set of support legs 102 a-d are made of a thick plastic material.Other materials including wood, metal, and other synthetic materialsalso may be used to provide the support needed by the worker wearing theattic shoes 100. The support straps 103 a-b may be made of a nylonwebbing material capable of tightly attaching about the worker's shoes.Other materials including cotton, leather, and other synthetic materialsalso may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an article of manufactureproviding work shoes attachment device for use in working on atticjoists according to the present invention. The schematic of FIG. 2 showsa top down view of the attic shoe base 101 showing its shape as havingfour extension tabs, two on each side of the attic shoe base 101 inwhich each tab supports one of the set of support legs 102 a-dpositioned underneath the attic shoe base 101. The strap openings 201a-d are shown about the ends of the attic shoe base 101 positioned on anoutward side of the set of support legs 102 a-d. Each of the four tabsare 13/16″ by 1½″ in size. The inner spacing of the tabs is 1⅞″ apart tocreate the crosswise opening 111 in between the set of support legs 102a-d. The attic shoe base 101 is 3¼″ wide without the addition of thefour tabs and 10″ in length. The set of strap openings 201 a-d are ⅝″ by⅛″ is sized to permit the corresponding set of support legs 102 a-d topass through the set of strap openings 201 a-d. The front and back endsof the attic shoe base 101 are shown to have a circular shape with adiameter of 3¼″ and coupled to the ends of the attic shoe base 101. Theattic shoe base 101 is typically ¾″ thick to provide sufficient supportfor the worker when wearing the attic shoe 100.

All of the above dimensions are for a preferred embodiment that has beensized for a typical construction worker. Of course, the length and widthof the attic shoe base 101 may be altered to be properly sized forworkers having larger and smaller feet. The arrangement and spacing ofthe set of support legs 102 a-d should remain the same as shown in FIG.2 to create the crosswise opening 111 and lengthwise opening 110 sizedto fit over a standard joist. If the attic shoe 100 is to be worn whenthe worker is walking on larger or thicker joists, the arrangement andspacing of the set of support legs 102 a-d may be adjusted to fit thesize of the different joists.

FIG. 3a-b illustrate multiple views of leg supports for an article ofmanufacture providing work shoes attachment device for use in working onattic joists according to the present invention. FIG. 3a shows a frontview of leg supports from an attic shoe according to the presentinvention. The set of four support legs 102 a-d are shown, each of whichhas a ½″ by ¼″ inner edge removed from the set of support legs 102 a-dalong their respective lower inner edges to guide a joist into thelengthwise opening 110 when the attic shoe 100 is stepping onto thejoist. These widening of the set of support legs 102 a-d at their basewill assist a joist to be guided into the attic shoe 100 and between theset of support legs 102 a-d when the worker takes a step on a joist.

FIG. 3b shows a side view of leg supports from an attic shoe accordingto the present invention. One of the set of support legs 102 a-d isshown from the side in FIG. 3b . A bottom, inner edge has a ¼″ by ½″edge removed on its inner edge such that the wider bottom edge of theset of support legs 102 a-d is positions along the crosswise opening 111to perform the same guidance of a joist into the crosswise opening 111when the worker steps in this direction on a joist.

FIG. 4 illustrates a 2D view of a leg support for an article ofmanufacture providing work shoes attachment device for use in working onattic joists according to the present invention. One of the set ofsupport legs 102 a-d is shown to illustrate the wider openings createdfor the crosswise opening 111 and lengthwise opening 110 by each of theset of support legs 102 a-d.

FIGS. 5a-b illustrate bottom views of leg supports for an article ofmanufacture providing work shoes attachment device for use in working onattic joists according to the present invention. The bottom view of theattic shoe 100 shows the arrangement and spacing of the set of supportlegs 102 a-d as shown in FIG. 2 to create the crosswise opening 111 andlengthwise opening 110 sized to fit over a standard joist. The strapopenings 201 a-b are shown about an end of the attic shoe base 101positioned on an outward side of the set of support legs 102 a-d.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in thepresent application, these combinations are not intended to limit thedisclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may becombined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In otherwords, any of the features mentioned in this application may be includedto this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow thefunctionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitlydescribed as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean“based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture for providing workshoes attachment device for use in working on attic joists, the workshoes attachment device comprises: an attic shoe base having an upperside and a lower side; a set of support legs coupled to the lower sideof the attic shoe base, the set of support legs configured to create acrosswise opening and a lengthwise opening between the support legs forpositioning on opposing sides of a joist; and a pair of support strapscoupled to the attic shoe base for securing the work shoes attachmentdevice to a worker's foot, the pair of support straps comprise a frontsupport strap and a rear support strap.
 2. The work shoes attachmentdevice according to claim 1, wherein the attic shoe base comprises arectangular center portion and four extension tabs, two extension tabson either side of the attic shoe base, the four extension tabs comprisea pair of front extension tabs and a pair of rear extension tabs.
 3. Thework shoes attachment device according to claim 2, wherein the set ofsupport legs couple to the attic shoe base across each of the extensiontabs.
 4. The work shoes attachment device according to claim 2, whereinthe crosswise opening and the lengthwise opening between the supportlegs are positioned between the extension tabs.
 5. The work shoesattachment device according to claim 2, wherein the attic shoe basefurther comprises a pair of front strap openings and a pair of rearstrap openings through the attic shoe base, the pair of front strapopenings are located within the rectangular center portion of the atticshoe base in front of the front extension tabs and a pair of rear strapopenings are located within the rectangular center portion of the atticshoe base in behind the rear extension tabs.
 6. The work shoesattachment device according to claim 5, wherein the front support strapis routed through the front pair of front strap openings, across theupper side of the attic shoe base, and around each side of the atticshoe base from the lower side to permit the front support strap to bearranged about the worker's foot; and the rear support strap is routedthrough the front pair of rear strap openings, across the upper side ofthe attic shoe base, and around each side of the attic shoe base fromthe lower side to permit the rear support strap to be arranged about theworker's foot.
 7. The work shoes attachment device according to claim 6,wherein the pair of support straps each have a buckle to secure each endto the support straps to its opposing end.
 8. The work shoes attachmentdevice according to claim 6, wherein the pair of support straps eachhave mating Velcro™ strips to secure each end to the support straps toits opposing end.
 9. The work shoes attachment device according to claim2, wherein the attic shoe base and the set of support legs are made of amaterial comprising: steel, wood, plastic, aluminum, and syntheticresin.
 10. The work shoes attachment device according to claim 6,wherein the crosswise opening and the lengthwise opening between thesupport legs are at least 1⅞″ wide.